BCSC explains pre-K request to Chamber

Several Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce members learned that when they arrived at a luncheon last week to find a note at their table instead of silver utensils wrapped in a napkin.

It read, in childish handwriting: "You did not have the benefit of a pre-K experience, therefore you did not arrive at kindergarten (lunch) with the tools you need to succeed."

The event was a primer for about 70 members of the business community on the push for public prekindergarten.

Bartholomew Consolidated School Corp. is seeking $1.8 annually in taxpayer money to pay for full-time prekindergarten for the estimated 450 students a year whose families cannot afford it.

The referendum to appear on the November ballot — which failed in the 2012 general election by about 1,700 votes, or 46 percent to 54 percent — will ask for an increase of 5 cents per $100 assessed valuation on city property taxes.